The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that children in the Gaza Strip are dying at an unprecedented rate due to famine and deteriorating conditions caused by the ongoing Israeli conflict in the enclave since October 7, 2023.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban stated during a media briefing on his recent trip to the Middle East, that the images are seen in the news, but what's happening on the ground is much. The signs of deep suffering and hunger are evident on the faces of families and children, News.Az reports citing foreign media.
He emphasized that what is happening in Gaza is inhumane, stressing that what children of all categories need is a sustainable ceasefire and a political path forward.
The UN official added that more than 320,000 young children are today at risk of severe malnutrition, noting that over 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war.
He continued that Gaza now faces an imminent threat of famine. One in every three people in Gaza goes days without food. The malnutrition index has surpassed the famine threshold, with the global acute malnutrition rate now exceeding 16.5 percent.
The UNICEF Deputy Executive Director reiterated the urgent need to allow the entry of at least 500 trucks per day into the Strip through all routes, including both humanitarian and commercial aid.
Israel has been waging a full-scale assault on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the death of 60,332 Palestinians and the injury of 147,643 others.
All crossings into the Strip have been closed, humanitarian aid through international organizations has been halted, and electricity supplies have been completely cut off, leading to an unprecedented deterioration of conditions and pushing the region to the brink of famine.
